The Smashing Machine is making a huge roar all over the world after it received a 15-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival. Pictures and videos of the film’s lead, Dwayne Johnson, crying uncontrollably in gratitude for the response he and his team received are now trending all over social media. The biographical drama now stands with Amanda Seyfried’s The Testament of Ann Lee and Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, which have also received long-standing ovations at this year’s Venice Film Festival.
The Smashing Machine shines at Venice Film Festival: Dwayne Johnson getting Oscar buzz after 15-minute standing ovation
The Smashing Machine is directed by Benjamin Safdie, who has previously directed films such as Heaven Knows What (2014), Good Time (2017) and Uncut Gems (2019). Talking about the cast of The Smashing Machine, Dwayne Johnson is playing the character of former MMA fighter and UFC champion, Mark Kerr, while Emily Blunt is portraying his ex-wife, Dawn Staples. Instead of actors, Benjamin Safdie cast real MMA fighters, including Ryan Bader, Oleksandr Usyk, Satoshi Ishii, James Moontasri, and many more, in the film to enhance the quality of the sports biopic.
